I, reincarnate as the leader of the villainous knight order

Chapter 9: Meeting with Margrave Taleraan

On the third day of being told to rest, my request for a meeting with Margrave Taleraan was granted, and I was scheduled to meet him. He’s probably on high alert, considering I’ve been making veiled threats about the heroine and her entourage.

Just wanting to harass the crown prince and trying to obtain someone I don’t even like by threatening the heroine and those around her—my character was quite twisted, looking back. Anyway, this time I need to reassure them, including about that.

Since I was off duty, I visited dressed not in my usual knight attire but in noble clothing. To reassure them, I left my beloved sword behind…

Upon entering the summoned office, I found not only Margrave Taleraan but also several knights lined up behind him. Hmm, are they really considering me that dangerous!?

“Excuse me. I appreciate Margrave Taleraan’s time.”

As I greeted them, both the Margrave and the knights behind him were surprised. Well, it’s probably because I’m so polite. Until now, I haven’t been hiding the attitude that without my power, these guys can’t even protect their territory.

“Ah… So what’s the matter this time?”

I could almost hear a voice in my mind saying “Get out quickly.” But unlike before, this time I came to talk about something beneficial for the territory.

“I went shopping yesterday and witnessed a significant issue in the territory that needs improvement, so I thought I’d report it.”

“An issue in the territory? You?”

He chuckled dismissively. Alright, if that’s the attitude, I’ll refute it without hesitation.

“Yes, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the public order in the capital has deteriorated because of it. It seems that the people perceive Margrave Taleraan as a ruthless lord who uses his subjects and then discards them.”

“What!?”

The knight commander, with a furious expression, put his hand on the hilt of his sword. This guy, while not a bad person, is a bit troublesome because he’s so devoted to the Margrave, having been helped by him when he was young. However, the Margrave lightly raised his hand to restrain the knight commander.

“Let me hear it.”

“Yes. When I called the people to gather and exterminate monsters, what do you do with those, including knights and soldiers, who suffer lasting injuries?”

“If they’re no longer fit for duty, they’re obviously removed. We wouldn’t force injured people to fight.”

He had an attitude as if to say, “What are you talking about?” I let out a big sigh conspicuously.

“Sigh… I’m saying you’re using them and then throwing them away. Do you know how those injured individuals live afterward? People who can’t return to their original jobs because of their injuries.”

For the first time, the Margrave’s movements stopped as he seemed to consider this. The knights exchanged glances; they probably never expected me to bring up such a thing.

“Well… They’re probably supported by their families.”

The Margrave answered with a wavering gaze.

“I see. So one day, someone who was supporting their family suddenly can’t work anymore? I saw a family like that. The husband, who was a craftsman, lost his job due to an injury, and the wife, who was trying to support her husband and children, got sick from overwork. They couldn’t afford magic medicine and were about to be driven away by the apothecary.”

In this world, there are naturally no insurance companies, and there’s hardly any social welfare. If you can’t live, you’re practically told to go die in a ditch, showing how little value life holds.

“And then?”

“If it’s knights or soldiers, they would receive some retirement compensation when they retire, but there are no relief measures for ordinary citizens. How many people end up embittered and causing trouble to those around them because of this? At the very least, there are plenty of possible relief measures, such as establishing facilities in the slums for free treatment or arranging jobs for those with lingering injuries, even if they have aftereffects.”

It felt like I was lecturing, but I poured out my thoughts in a long string.

“Is… Is that the idea of Sir Vandière, the Knight Commander?”

“?? Well, yes. If you tell me not to meddle in the affairs of other territories, then so be it. But because I could see that public order in Margrave Taleraan’s territory is steadily worsening, I felt it necessary to offer advice. That’s all there is to it.”

I had said everything I wanted to say, so I bowed my head slightly at the end. But Margrave Taleraan looked at me strangely.

“That’s it…? Nothing about my daughter?”

“Yes, I don’t think I’ll have anything to do with the young lady in the future. However… no, it’s nothing.”

I don’t need to say unnecessary things like, ” your daughter will become a concubine in terms of power balance..” Some nobles in the novel thought it was good that the young lady’s virginity is lost because it helped avoid obstacles to the marriage between the crown prince and the saint.

In reality, if there are two heroines, I think the young lady will become a concubine when the saint becomes the primary wife. The main character crown prince fell for the saint easily, after all.

“Well, if you have something to say, say it.”

I’m not the culprit, but I still want the young lady who suffered greatly in the novel to be happy. If Margrave Taleraan moves to protect the position of the primary wife from now on, maybe things will work out somehow.

“Do you think the number of monsters has been abnormal in recent years? Perhaps a saint might appear. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that the conditions necessary for a saint to appear are being met.”

“You can’t be serious…!”

“Well, assuming we deal with the monsters somehow, the problem is about the young lady.”

“What does my daughter have to do with a saint! Is my daughter a saint!?”

Margrave Taleraan slammed his fist on the desk. Well, if that were the case, there wouldn’t be a problem at all.

“No, if a saint were to appear, the royal family would move to make her the crown prince’s primary wife. If you don’t want your daughter to be in the position of a concubine, I recommend making arrangements from now on.”

“What are you planning!?”

It’s all because of my actions so far, but it’s getting more and more troublesome.

“I’ve had various thoughts over the past few days and reflected on my past actions. It’s understandable if you find it unbelievable, so I hope you can judge based on my future actions. Well then, excuse me.”

Taking advantage of Margrave Taleraan’s stunned silence at my declaration of reflection, I hurriedly escaped from the office.